Putting alignment tool, aiming tool and ball marker and method of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball. The tool can be colored or in black and white and have a generally horizontally flat circular coin body with a top flat surface with a middle area and a bottom flat surface with a middle area. The tool is placed behind the golf ball with the bottom flat surface in flat physical contact with the putting surface that indicates an intended putting line. The top flat surface is also visible to the user to assist the user in aligning and aiming the putt on the putting surface with the golf ball towards a hole or practice cup. The tool can also be flipped over exposing the bottom surface area that can also indicate an intended putting line. There is also a single overall method of usage for both the colored and black and white tools also.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/156,476 filed on Feb. 27, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a putting improvement tool, ball marker and method of use. More specifically, the invention is a putting alignment and aiming tool, ball marker and method of use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a golfer with a putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker with a unique colored or black and white design and method of use.

What is really needed is a putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker that utilizes a unique colored or black and white design and a method of using the putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker to improve a golfer's putting skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overhead perspective view of a top surface and a bottom surface of a colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead perspective view of a top surface and a bottom surface of a black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an overhead perspective view of a variety of colored designs for a colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the method steps of using both a colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker and a black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overhead perspective view of a colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10. The putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 is used to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball (user, putting surface and golf ball all not shown). The putting surface can be on a green on a golf course with real grass, can be on a recreational artificial grass putting surface or any non-grass putting surface as well. The colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 has a generally horizontally flat coin body 20 with a top flat surface 30 with a middle area 32 and a bottom flat surface 40 and middle area 42. The colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 is placed behind the golf ball with the bottom flat surface 40 in flat physical contact with the putting surface that indicates an intended putting line. The top flat surface 30 of the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 is visible to the user to assist the user in aligning and aiming the putt on the putting surface with the golf ball towards a given target, which is typically a practice cup or a hole on a putting surface.

The top flat surface 30 of the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 has a center line 50 with two side surface areas 52, one to the left of the center line 50 and one to the right of the center line 50 that runs down the middle area 32 of the top surface 30. The side surface areas 52 appear to converge as the user moves away from the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10. The top flat surface 30 can be multi-colored for visual clarity and distinctiveness. These can be any known colors and/or any combination of known colors for each portion and section of the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10, that will enhance the visual clarity of the user while aligning and aiming his putt.

The bottom surface 40 also has a center line 60 with two side surfaces 62, one to the left of the center line 60 and one to the right of the center line 60 that runs down the middle area 42 of the bottom surface 40. The side surfaces 62 appear to converge as the user moves away from the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10. The bottom flat surface 30 can also be multi-colored for visual clarity and distinctiveness. These can be any known colors and/or any combination of known colors for each portion and section of the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10, that will enhance the visual clarity of the user while aligning and aiming his putt. The top flat surface 30 and bottom surface 40 can also be in black and white for distinct visual contrast, as is described and illustrated in FIG. 2 and the FIG. 2 description.

FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead perspective view of a putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10. The features and physical characteristics of the black and white alignment and aiming tool 100 are the same as the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10, with the exception of the colored top flat surface 30 and colored bottom flat surface 40. The black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 is used to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball (user, putting surface and golf ball all not shown). The putting surface can be on a green on a golf course with real grass, can be on a recreational artificial grass putting surface or any non-grass putting surface as well. The black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 has a generally horizontally flat coin body 120 with a top flat surface 130 with a middle area 132 and a bottom flat surface 140 with a middle area 142. The black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 is placed behind the golf ball with the bottom flat surface 140 in flat physical contact with the putting surface that indicates an intended putting line. The top flat surface 130 of the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 is visible to the user to assist the user in aligning and aiming the putt on the putting surface with a golf ball towards a target, such as a practice cup or a hole on a putting surface.

The top flat surface 130 of the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 has a center line 180 with two side surfaces 182, one to the left of the center line 180 and one to the right of the center line 180 that runs down the middle area 132 of the top surface 130. The center line 180 can also be coupled with side alignment lines (not shown in black and white, but color side alignment lines 86 are illustrated in FIG. 3) that appear to converge as the user moves away from the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100. The black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 has a greater contrast and distinctiveness than the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 because of the stark black and white coloring. Both the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 and the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10, however, are both effective in improving a user's putting alignment and aim.

The bottom surface 140 also has a center line 160 with two side surfaces 162, one to the left of the center line 160 and one to the right of the center line 160 that runs down the middle area 142 of the bottom surface 140. The side surface areas 162 appear to converge as the user moves away from the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10. The center line 160 can also be coupled with side alignment lines (not shown in black and white, but color alignment lines 86 are illustrated in FIG. 3) that appear to converge as the user moves away from the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates an overhead perspective view of a variety of colored designs for a putting alignment and aiming tool 10. Some of these colored designs have additional alignment lines 64 to further help a user align and aim a golf ball while putting. As previously indicated, the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 can utilize any known colors and/or any combination of known colors for each alignment line 64 and side surface area 62 of the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10, that will enhance the visual clarity of the user while aligning and aiming his putt.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the overall method steps of using both types of putting alignment and aiming tools 200. The overall method steps are the same for using the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 as they are for using the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100. The overall method of usage involves locating the golf ball on the putting surface 210, placing the putting tool behind the golf ball 220, utilizing the putting tool to choose a desired putting alignment 230 and putting according to the desired putting alignment 240. Locating the golf ball on the putting surface 210 is something that is naturally done during the course of playing a round of golf. Utilizing the putting tool to choose a desired putting alignment 230 is done by the user after placement of one of the tools 10,100 is properly made behind the golf ball of the user. As indicated previously, either the top surface 30,130 or the bottom surface 40,140 of either the colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 10 or the black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker 100 can be used to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. 

1. A colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball, comprising: a generally horizontally flat circular coin with a top flat surface with a middle area and a bottom flat surface with a middle area; said tool is placed behind said golf ball with said bottom flat surface in flat physical contact with said putting surface, that indicates an intended putting line; said top flat surface is visible to said user to assist said user in aligning and aiming said putt on said putting surface with said golf ball towards a hole on said putting surface and a practice cup; and said tool can be flipped over exposing said bottom flat surface which is then also visible to said user in aligning and aiming said putt on said putting surface with said golf ball towards a hole on said putting surface and a practice cup.
 2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said top surface and said bottom surface have a center line with two side surface areas that run down said middle area of said top surface and said bottom surface.
 3. The tool according to claim 2, wherein said center lines are coupled with side alignment lines.
 4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein said side alignment lines appear to converge as said user moves away from said tool.
 5. The tool according to claim 4, wherein said center lines, said side surface areas and said side alignment lines assist said user in aligning and aiming said putt on said putting surface with said golf ball when said tool is placed behind said golf ball.
 6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said top surface and said bottom surface can be any known color and any combination of any known colors.
 7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said putting surface is on a green on a golf course with real grass, a recreational artificial grass putting surface and any non-grass putting surface.
 8. A black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker, to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball, comprising: a generally horizontally circular flat coin with a top flat surface with a middle area and a bottom flat surface with a middle area; said tool is placed behind said golf ball with said bottom flat surface in flat physical contact with said putting surface that indicates an intended putting line; said top flat surface is visible to said user to assist said user in aligning and aiming said putt on said putting surface with said golf ball towards a hole on said putting surface and a practice cup; and said tool can be flipped over exposing said bottom flat surface which is then also visible to said user in aligning and aiming said putt on said putting surface with said golf ball towards a hole on said putting surface and a practice cup.
 9. The tool according to claim 8, wherein said top surface and said bottom surface have a center line with two side surface areas that run down said middle area of said top surface and said bottom surface.
 10. The tool according to claim 9, wherein said center lines are coupled with side alignment lines.
 11. The tool according to claim 10, wherein said side alignment lines appear to converge as said user moves away from said tool.
 12. The tool according to claim 11, wherein said top surface, said bottom surface, said center lines, said side alignment lines and said surface areas are black and white.
 13. The tool according to claim 12, wherein said center line, said side surface areas and said side alignment lines assist said user in aligning and aiming said putt on said putting surface with said golf ball when said tool is placed behind said golf ball.
 14. The tool according to claim 8, wherein said putting surface is on a green on a golf course with real grass, a recreational artificial grass putting surface and any non-grass putting surface.
 15. A method for using a putting alignment and aiming tool with a generally horizontally flat coin body, with a top flat surface with a middle area and a bottom flat surface, to assist a user in aligning and aiming a putt on a putting surface with a golf ball, comprising: locating said golf ball on said putting surface; placing said putting tool behind said golf ball; utilizing said putting tool to choose a desired putting alignment; and putting according to said desired putting alignment.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said tool is placed behind said golf ball to begin said desired putting alignment.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said tool is a colored putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker and a black and white putting alignment and aiming tool and ball marker.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said top surface and said bottom surface of said tool can be utilized to choose a desired putting alignment.
 19. The method according to claim 15, wherein said desired alignment is towards a hole on said putting surface and towards a practice cup.
 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said putting surface is on a green on a golf course with real grass, a recreational artificial grass putting surface and any non-grass putting surface. 